Teeth whitening may seem straightforward, but it’s actually quite complex. We offer Zoom in-office laser teeth whitening, which is the gold standard.
Here are essential details about the hidden costs of bargain whitening services.
First, it is essential to know that poorly done teeth whitening with abrasive products can cause tooth sensitivity and damage to tooth enamel and gums. Low-quality products or a lack of skill can result in damaged teeth, which isn’t worth any small cost savings.
Second, if you find a low-cost, cheap laser teeth whitening option, you won’t likely get the attention to detail we offer. With bargain options, you usually get one application of laser whitening. Cheaper alternatives will schedule a short amount of time to complete the whole procedure, which is likely not enough to achieve the results you desire. One application may not significantly whiten your teeth, so you may need to return for an additional 1-3 visits. The time it takes to get to those appointments adds to the cost of cheaper teeth whitening services.
Understanding all that goes into in-office whitening is essential, so you know what to consider when choosing the best place for the procedure. We schedule 2.5 hours for this procedure, allowing us to run the process as many times as necessary to achieve the desired result, which may require up to 4 applications. The method yielded a slight improvement in the first couple of applications. We strive to ensure that patients receive the results they desire.
At our office, when we do in-office laser whitening, we include the fabrication of take-home whitening trays and a bleach kit at no additional cost for the patient. Kits/trays are rare extra perks that most offices do not include. The take-home trays/bleach kit is for future touch-ups. Touch-ups are necessary for maintenance every six to nine months after the initial in-office procedure. It usually takes a couple of applications of the take-home trays/bleach kit to return the teeth to the results seen after the laser whitening. The whitening product used with the take-home kit typically lasts a couple of years; refills can then be purchased in-office. These are quality additions that you won’t get with other whitening services.
Third, there are many gimmicks associated with teeth whitening. Many of these are a waste of money and could harm your teeth.
One notable trend on the market is at-home trays with built-in lights. One thing to know is that the lasers we have at the office are so much more potent than those “home use” lights. A laser and a light aren’t even comparable. If those lights were anywhere near as effective, they would be too expensive for the public to buy. You cannot get the same results at home as with the professional lasers in the office.
Finally, another gimmick is home-use products marketed with photographs of brilliantly white teeth. Don't be fooled by trick photography! People in the industry quickly spotlight photos that are all too common in places where they are advertising their over-the-counter products.